Combined assembly and shipping skid

ABSTRACT

A combined assembly and shipping skid adapted to be attached to the bottom pan of an appliance to facilitate travel along an assembly line and packaging for shipment has a pair of spaced apart main skid arms each having an elongated central portion terminating at each end in a platform which extends beyond the corner of the bottom pan at each side so as to form a base for a corner support column in the shipping carton and a pair of spaced cross-arm supports interfitting in a portion of said platforms to connect the ends of said main skid arms. The skid becomes a part of the shipping package.

nited States Patent [191 Skinner Sept. 2, 1975 [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Westmoreland Plastics Company,

Latrobe, Pa.

[22] Filed: June 24, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 482,068

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 329,666, Feb. 5,

Harvey G. Skinner, Ligonier, Pa.

[52] [1.8. CI 248/346; 108/56 [51] Int. (11. A47B 91/00 [58] Field Of Search 108/51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 108/56, 57, 58; 248/119 R, 19, 23, 346, 25; 220/21 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,739,776 3/1956 Terando 108/54 3,022,028 2/1962 Rhinehard et a1. 108/56 X 3,107,635 10/1963 Kaiser 108/51 3,128,979 4/1964 Damelio 248/25 3,131,656 5/1964 Houle 108/56 3,148,797 9/1964 Cloyd 220/21 3,157,423 11/1964 Brie, Sr... 108/56 X 3,277,849 10/1966 Talbot 108/58 3,436,045 2/1969 Anspaugh 248/119 R 3,471,116 10/1969 De Cherrie..... 248/346 X 3,685,708 8/1972 Herrington 248/23 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bue1l, Blenko & Ziesenheim [57] ABSTRACT A combined assembly and shipping skid adapted to be attached to the bottom pan of an appliance to facilitate travel along an assembly line and packaging for shipment has a pair of spaced apart main skid arms each having an elongated central portion terminating at each end in a platform which extends beyond the corner of the bottom pan at each side so as to form a base for a corner support column in the shipping carton and a pair of spaced cross-arm supports interfitting in a portion of said platforms to connect the ends of said main skid arms. The skid becomes a part of the shipping package.

10 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures COMBINED ASSEMBLY AND SHIPPING SKID This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 329,666, filed Feb. 5, 1973.

This invention relates to skids for appliances which are assembled while travelling along an assembly line. It is more particularly concerned with such skids which are also adapted to position the appliance in a shipping carton and form a part thereof.

Like automobiles, appliances such as ranges, refrigerators, air conditioners and the like are commercially fabricated by assembly line methods. Appliances, conventionally bolted to base boards or wooden frames, are normally passed over conveyors of different types such as roller conveyors, belt conveyors and others in the course of their manufacture, and when finished are transferred into shipping cartons. It is necessary to space the appliance from the walls of the shipping carton because the latter are not strong enough to support the weight of loaded cartons stacked on them, and are reinforced with corner columns, usually of laminated corrugated board of some description. To save expense, the base boards or frames are made of poor quality green lumber which is frequently rough surfaced, and tends to sometimes splinter or split. Because of these various defects in their supporting means movement of the appliances over the conveyors is often impeded. In the shipping carton, especially when the appliance is not delivered for some time, the green lumber tends to dry out and shrink, which sometimes allows the reinforcing columns to become dislodged.

It is an object of my invention to provide an assembly skid for appliances which is inexpensive and which facilitates the movement of the appliances over conveyors of various types. It is another object to provide such a skid which positions the appliance in its shipping carton and forms a part thereof. It is still another object to provide such a skid which provides a firm base for corner support columns in the shipping carton. Other objects will appear in the course of the description of my invention which follows.

The skid of my invention has a pair of spaced apart main arms each having a channel-section central portion terminating at each end in flat-surfaced platforms which extend outwardly from the sides and end of the central portion and are reinforced by a skirt extending around their sides and end and depending to the same depth as the channel flanges. The outer edges of those flanges have outwardly turned-over flat margins, and the central portion is reinforced by longitudinally extending ribs within the channel. Each platform is provided with a mounting hole, the distance between the holes being that of mounting holes in the bottom pan of the appliance. A pair of spaced cross arms are fitted to the main arms adjacent the platform. A skid is attached to the bottom pan by bolts through the holes, generally passing through the cross arms ends. The platform extends beyond the bottom pan corners so as to space the appliance from the walls of a shipping carton and to provide the base for a reinforcing column within the carton.

An embodiment of my invention presently preferred by me is illustrated in the attached figures, to which reference is now made.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an assembly and shipping skid according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main assembly skid arm of my invention as used in the skid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section to an enlarged scale of the article of FIG. 2 taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section to the same scale as FIG. 3 of the article of FIG. 2 taken on the plane IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cross arm used in the skid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section on the line VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of skid using a modified main arm and a second embodiment of cross arm;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the main arm of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a section on the line IXIX of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the cross arm of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a section on line XIXI of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a section on the line XII--XII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a third embodiment of skid according to this invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the main skid arm of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a section on the line XVXV of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a cross arm used in the embodiment of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a section on the line XVIIXVII of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the connection between the main skid arm and cross arm of FIG. 13.

Referring to the drawings I have illustrated in FIG. 1, one form of skid according to my invention. The skid there illustrated comprises a pair of main arms 10 each having an elongated central section 11 terminating at each end in identical platforms 12 and 13 of greater width than central section 11. Section 11 is channelshaped, as may be seen from FIG. 3, having a flat bottom web 14 and upstanding flanges 15 and 16. The outer edges of those flanges are turned over into outwardly projecting flat margins 17 and 18, respectively, which are paralled to web 14. Each margin 17 and 18 is provided with a curled over border, 19 and 20 respectively.

Platform 12, as may be seen from FIG. 1, comprises outward extensions 21 and 22 respectively of margins 17 and 18 which continue and meet around the end 24 of central section 11 in outward extension 23 thereof. A skirt 25 depends around the entire periphery of platform 12 to the same depth as that of flanges l5 and 16 of section 11. Platform 13 is identical in structure to platform 12, and the portions of platform 13 corresponding with those of platform 12 are designated, where necessary, by the reference characters applied to platform 12.

Platform 12 is provided with a mounting hole 26 in its outward extension 22 and platform 13 is provided with a corresponding mounting hole 26. A skirt or bushing 27 depends around the circumference of each hole 26 to a depth less than that of flanges l5 and 16.

Central section 11 is provided with two longitudinally extending ribs 28 and 29 which project upwardly from web 14 a distance equal to the depth of flanges l5 and 16. Ribs 28 and 29 are not parallel to each other or to flanges 15 and 16, but criss-cross several times throughout the length of the section 11 to form a diamond pattern between the flanges and provide diagonal reinforcement therefor.

The cross arm 30 is provided with a central channelshaped section 31 having a flat bottom web 32 and upstanding flanges 33 and 34. A pair of mounting inserts 35 and 36 are provided, one at each end of central section 31, for inserting into slots 25a in skirt 25 adjacent mounting holes 26 in platforms 12 of the main arms 10. Each insert 35 and 36 is provided with a mounting hole 37 adapted to align and cooperate with mounting hole 26.

In use the skid of FIG. 1 is bolted to the bottom pan of an appliance through holes 37 of the cross arms and 26 of the main arms. The bolt heads bear against surface 38 surrounding hole 37, forcing the same into intimate contact with skirt 27 and being fully recessed within flange l and web 14. This permits the user a choice of using the skid with the skid rolled down the assembly line directly on the ribs or on the flat face of the skid, thus providing a reversible selection of bearing faces. The skid is dimensioned so that the outward extensions 21 or 22 and 23 extend or project beyond the corners of the bottom pan of the appliance. The pan thus supported is moved over the assembly conveyors while the appliance is being assembled, the flat outer surface of web 14 facilitating such movement. When the appliance is completed it is transferred, still on the skids of my invention, into a shipping carton where it is spaced from the carton walls by the extensions 21, 22 and 23 of platform portions 12 and 13 of the skids. Those extensions are dimensioned so as to leave room for vertical reinforcing columns at the corners of the carton and to provide a base upon which each such column rests, so that the skid becomes a part of the package. Skirt 25 transmits the column load to the bottom of the shipping carton.

The modification of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 12 differs from that of FIGS. 1-6 in both the form of the main arm 40 and the arm 41 used in forming the perimeter skid. The main skid arm 40 is basically the same as in FIG. 1 except that the platform 42 has an upwardly extending skirt 43 around hole 44. The cross arm 41 has a central channel-shaped section 45 having a flat bottom web 46 and upstanding flanges 47 and 48. A pair of mounting inserts 49 and 50 are fixed, one at each end of the central channel, on offset shoulder portions 51 and 52 on the central channel. The inserts 49 and 50 are adapted for inserting into slots 42a in skirt 42b in the same manner as inserts 35 and 36 of the first embodiment. The skid of this embodiment is used basically in the same manner as that of the first embodiment.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 18, I provide a third embodiment of my invention which has the advantage that it may be pre-assembled. In this embodiment I provide a pair of main skid arms 60, each having an elongated central section 61 terminating at each end in identical platforms 62 and 63 of greater width than central section 61. The central section 61 is of channel shape having a central web portion 64 and upstanding flanges 65 and 66. Each of the platform sections 62 and 63 include flange portions 67 surrounding their periphery to the same level as flanges 65 and 66 of the central channel. Each such flange 67 has a cut out portion 68 and an overlying cover portion 69. A rectangular recessed portion 70 is provided in each end of the web 64 and in the platform sections 62 and 63 provided with spaced mounting holes 71. An interlock clip 72 is provided on the underside of said recess. A cross arm is provided with a central channelshaped section 81 having a bottom web 82 and upstanding flanges 83 and 84. A mounting insert 85 is provided at each end. The insert 85 is adapted to pass through cut out portion 68 and has an interlocking recess 86 engaging the clip 72 of the main skid arm, to hold the main skid arm and cross arm in frictional engagement.

This modification has the added advantage that a cushioning material such as corrugated paper, elastomer foam, etc., can be inserted in the recessed portion 60 to act as a shock absorber during shipment.

In the foregoing specification I have set out certain preferred embodiments and practices of my invention, however, it will be understood that this invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A combined shipping and assembly skid adapted to support the bottom pan of an article while it travels along an assembly line and is assembled thereon and to form a pair of the articles shipping package comprising a pair of spaced apart main skid arms each having an elongated flat bottomed central portion terminating at each end in an end platform wider than the central portion but of the same depth and extending beyond the bottom pan at each end and side so as to space it from the sides of the shipping container and to form a base for corner support columns therein and a pair of removable spaced cross arm supports each having two ends interfitting within a portion of said platforms to connect the ends of said spaced main skid arms and form a generally rectangular perimeter skid in one plane.

2. The skid of claim 1 in which each main skid arm is provided around both sides and outer end with a reinforcing skirt depending to the plane of the bottom of the central portion.

3. The skid of claim 1 in which the cross arm ends at each end extends into each terminal platform of the main skid arms to form a generally rectangular perimeter skid.

4. The skid of claim 1 in which the central portion of each member is channel-shaped.

5. The skid of claim 4 in which the upstanding flanges of the channels of the main skid arms are directed opposite to those of the cross arms.

6. The skid of claim 5 in which the channel-shaped central portion of each member is provided with upstanding reinforcing ribs.

7. The skid of claim 6 in which the upstanding reinforcing ribs criss-cross to form a diamondpattern reinforcement between the flanges.

8. The skid of claim 1 wherein the cross arms have a longitudinally extending insert portion at each end overlying a portion of the platform of each main skid arm.

9. The skid of claim 8 wherein the insert portion has an opening aligning with a like opening in the platform to receive a hold down bolt.

10. The skid of claim 8 wherein the insert portion has an interlock member engaging a cooperating interlock member on the platform. 

1. A combined shipping and assembly skid adapted to support the bottom pan of an article while it travels along an assembly line and is assembled thereon and to form a pair of the article''s shipping package comprising a pair of spaced apart main skid arms each having an elongated flat bottomed central portion terminating at each end in an end platform wider than the central portion but of the same depth and extending beyond the bottom pan at each end and side so as to space it from the sides of the shipping container and to form a base for corner support columns therein and a pair of removable spaced cross arm supports each having two ends interfitting within a portion of said platforms to connect the ends of said spaced main skid arms and form a generally rectangular perimeter skid in one plane.
 2. The skid of claim 1 in which each main skid arm is provided around both sides and outer end with a reinforcing skirt depending to the plane of the bottom of the central portion.
 3. The skid of claim 1 in which the cross arm ends at each end extends into each terminal platform of the main skid arms to form a generally rectangular perimeter skid.
 4. The skid of claim 1 in which the central portion of each member is channel-shaped.
 5. The skid of claim 4 in which the upstanding flanges of the channels of the main skid arms are directed opposite to those of the cross arms.
 6. The skid of claim 5 in which the channel-shaped central portion of each member is provided with upstanding reinforcing ribs.
 7. The skid of claim 6 in which the upstanding reinforcing ribs criss-cross to form a diamond pattern reinforcement between the flanges.
 8. The skid of claim 1 wherein the cross arms have a longitudinally extending insert portion at each end overlying a portion of the platform of each main skid arm.
 9. The skid of claim 8 wherein the insert portion has an opening aligning with a like opening in the platform to receive a hold down bolt.
 10. The skid of claim 8 wherein the insert portion has an interlock member engaging a cooperating interlock member on the platform. 